The Virginia-Highland Civic Association (VHCA) Thursday launched what could be the first neighborhood-wide GoFundMe initiative in Atlanta. The organization is looking to raise $100,000 to be split evenly among 50 businesses (listed below) as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to impact brick-and-mortars, and a second round of financial support from Washington seems more and more unlikely.
A rep for GoFundMe told What Now Atlanta the “Virginia-Highland Civic Association is certainly a stand-out” in terms of the number of businesses it is supporting via a single campaign, but that campaigns like the Black-Owned Business Relief Fund and the Adair Park Housing Relief Fund also sought to raise money for many people and businesses.
Chase Johnson is leading the crowdfunding effort on behalf of the VHCA, writing it’s an opportunity for the organization to support the very same businesses that have supported the community over the years. “They have raised money for our schools through dine-outs, to restore our fire station through road races and visits with Santa and sponsored our security patrol,” Johnson wrote. “They have pitched in on neighborhood cleanups and beautification projects, never asking for anything in return.”
“A vibrant business district is one reason we all live in Virginia-Highland,” Johnson wrote. “It is why people have been flocking here from all over metro-Atlanta for decades. That is all at risk.”
Below are the businesses that this money will be split evenly among:
- ACE Intown Hardware
- Ampersand Branding Co.
- Atkins Park Tavern
- Atlanta Pro Bikes
- Bar.bacoa
- Blind Willie’s Blues Bar
- Cachee
- Callie’s Hot Lil Biscuits
- Dakota J’s
- Dark Horse Tavern
- DBA Barbecue
- Diesel Filling Station
- DTox Juice
- Empire South
- Fontaine’s Oyster Bar
- George’s Bar & Restaurant
- Helmet Hairworx
- Highland Eye Boutique
- Highland Pet Supply
- Highland Tap
- Highland Woodworking
- Highland Yoga
- Knock Music House
- La Tavola
- Limerick Junction
- Little Barn Apothecary
- Mali Restaurant
- Marco’s Pizza
- Moe’s & Joe’s Tavern
- Murphy’s Restaurant
- Neighbor’s Pub
- Ocean Wave
- Osteria 832 Pizza & Pasta
- Paolo’s Gelato
- Pink Barre
- Press & Grind
- San Francisco Coffee Roasting
- Sugarcoat Nails
- Suite Bridal
- Surin of Thailand
- Suzy Q Nails
- Sweet Peach Waxing
- Taco Mac
- The Original El Taco
- The Warren City Club
- Threadz
- Truva Turkish Kitchen
- Tuscany at Your Table
- Urban Cottage Inc.
- Urban Evolution Salon
“A vaccine is on the way, but these businesses need help right now to hang on for just a few more months,” Johnson wrote. “That is why the VHCA and other community leaders are asking our neighbors to support them during this time. We are raising money to go directly to the businesses in the neighborhood. Many of us are struggling as COVID-19 has changed everything that is familiar. Please donate now so that we don’t lose the wonderful businesses and friends who operate them too.”
The VHCA’s GoFundMe launch arrives on the heels of two recent campaigns for Atlanta institutions The Colonnade and Manuel’s Tavern. So far, both fundraisers have been wildly succesfful.
